The 30-Day Writing Challenge: An Alternative to NaNoWriMo for Writers Who Fear Commitment

I don't know about you, but I'm afraid of commitment.

I find it difficult to choose a movie because I think two hours is too long to focus on the same story. I've had three separate Facebook accounts, over 10 different email addresses (five of which are currently active), and I've dyed my hair more colors than I could count on both my fingers and my toes. I'm the person who researches the restaurant ahead of time and still stares at the menu long after everyone has decided what to order.

So forgive me for not jumping at the opportunity to write 50,000 words in a month. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Okay, so I know the idea is that even moms and full-time employees can find time, that prioritizing writing over other things is important to nurture your artistic self, and that fitting writing into your day every day is what makes a writer, well, a writer. I get it, I do. I get all of it.

Even so, I would like to see my family for more than 30 minutes after I get home from work, and—sue me—but going to new restaurants with my friends is, like, the Olympic sport of my life. I'd still like to write every day; it's just that producing such a high volume in such a short amount of time is what sends single girls like me running and screaming. So what's a whiny writer like me to do?

Luckily, the ability to produce a high volume of good writing doesn't just happen overnight. In reality, writing doesn't have to be so intense. It's all about baby steps. (Like, I guess one date wouldn't hurt, and it might be fun to post that I'm "in a relationship" on Facebook.)

Writing for a few minutes every day doesn't sound so scary, does it? The trick is that it all adds up. That's why we've created a less intense alternative to 50,000 words in 30 days. This is the 30-Day Writing Challenge, where we've provided creative writing exercises for every day of the month. The best part is that you can write as much or as little as you'd like without pressure and without having to feel bad about it. After all, it's all about creation in any volume, right?

The 30-Day Writing Challenge

Day 1

Take us through a written walk down your street and to your favorite place through the eyes of somebody else.

Day 2

Think of three people in your life. Give your character the hair and laugh of person 1, the face and bedroom of person 2, and the wardrobe and mannerisms of person 3. This is your new protagonist. Feel free to give him or her any other characteristics you'd like. Give us an idea of who your character is by describing only the first 60 seconds of the character's day.

Day 3

Now send your character to his or her grumpy grandmother's house for a visit. Write the scene of your character's arrival.

Day 4

Imagine that your protagonist has just turned into a statue. Describe his or her thoughts.

Day 5

The last liquid you drank has turned your protagonist into a superhero. What do your character's new powers allow him or her to do?

Day 6

Think of your favorite food. Try to make it sound as disgusting as possible.

Day 7

Spoil the ending of your favorite movie without any context.

Day 8

Take a nondescript sentence such as, "How are you?" Write the same line from at least five different points of view.

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Your character picks up a locket or a frame. Explain its contents and their significance.

Day 29

Think of your greatest fear. If it's an object, person, or place, make it sound loveable. If it's some kind of experience, make it sound fun.

Day 30

Finish a story with the line, "Nothing ever felt easier to say."

That wasn't so scary, was it?

Which prompts from the 30-Day Writing Challenge were your favorites? Did anything surprise you about your writing? We hope that you've come out of this month no worse for wear than when you started. After all, writing is work, but it's also supposed to be good for the soul. Even if you didn't do all of the challenges, you've written more than you would have if you hadn't taken part in these writing exercises at all. Like I said, it's all about taking baby steps. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some email accounts to close once and for all . . .

Image sources: Nathan Walker/Stocksnap.io, obpia30/Pixabay.com

Related Articles

November is just around the corner and that can mean only one thing—authors worldwide are sharpening their pencils in preparation for NaNoWriMo. Not in the know about NaNoWriMo? This funny little acronym stands for National Novel Writing Month, which is the ambitious—albeit fun—goal of writing an entire novel in one month.

While it may be true that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, it is also true that the most difficult step of the journey is the final one. Participating in NaNoWriMo is a marathon of writing, and finishing depends solely on you. That being said, Scribendi.com wants to suggest some techniques that will help you cross the finish line.